Amid HMS’s Le Mans Success, Kyle Petty Claims Rick Hendrick’s Team Has a “Steep Incline” Ahead in NASCAR Cup Series

Hendrick Motorsports had cause to celebrate on Sunday. The much-anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans came to an end in the early hours. Garage 56’s Camaro ZL1, driven by the legends Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jenson Button was able to finish the prestigious endurance race—completing 285 laps in 24 hours. However, the celebrations were short-lived.

Compared to Toyotas, HMS Chevrolets didn’t exactly set the Sonoma track on fire. In a race dominated by JGR’s Denny Hamlin in Stage 1 and Martin Truex Jr from then on, HMS teams did make a few smart and timely decisions. However, they were not enough. And NASCAR analyst Kyle Petty believes that HMS still faces significant challenges in the Cup Series. Petty’s comments on the NASCAR on NBC podcast highlight the team’s road course struggles and the uphill battle they face in the upcoming races.

Kyle Petty raises genuine concerns regarding Hendrick Motorsports’ recent NASCAR Cup Series performance

“The fastest Hendrick road course car this weekend might have been at Le Mans,” Petty stated. However, he quickly acknowledged the issue, saying, “Yeah, it was at France, that’s the problem, that was the problem this weekend, but they’re just in far enough off, they’re a little off-road course.” Petty expected better performances from drivers such as William Byron, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson, who showed promise during practices but failed to dominate in the actual race.

According to Petty, there seems to be a disparity between the team’s qualifying performance and their actual race results. He expressed disappointment, particularly in Kyle Larson‘s inability to capitalize on his impressive practice performance and secure a victory on a road course. Petty believes that the team needs to address these challenges promptly, as the suspension changes have altered the dynamics of their approach to the remaining races in the season.

“I think the suspension has changed the way they have to look at these next races, these next 10 races, because they are not going to point their way in,” Petty explained. He emphasized that Chase Elliott cannot solely rely on accumulating points but must win races to secure a spot in the playoffs. Reflecting on the season thus far, Petty expressed doubt about Elliott’s ability to emerge as a strong contender in any race, regardless of the track type.

“There’s been some bright spots and some bright moments, but let’s say they have a steep incline in a 10-race season to get one win to move themselves into the playoffs, and that’s a lot to ask at this point of time,” Petty concluded.

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Hendrick Motorsports’ triumph across the Atlantic highlights challenges at home

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Despite Petty’s concerns about HMS’s performance in the Cup Series, the team’s recent success at Le Mans showcased their ability to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable results. When NASCAR announced the Garage 56 program in collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports, Goodyear, and Chevrolet, skeptics questioned the feasibility of a stock car competing in the prestigious endurance race. However, team owner Rick Hendrick remained resolute, affirming that they were fully committed to running competitively and finishing the race.

Hendrick’s words were not empty promises. A little over a year later, the Garage 56 Next Gen car, driven by Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson, and Mike Rockenfeller, not only completed the grueling 24-hour race but also secured a commendable 39th place finish. The program’s impact on NASCAR’s reputation and exposure in the global motorsport community cannot be understated.

Hendrick’s determination to prove doubters wrong was evident after the race. “The last thing we were going to do was come here and fall on our nose,” Hendrick told the Associated Press. The emotional resonance of the accomplishment was felt by many, including Jim France, who expressed his heartfelt sentiments about his family’s involvement in the endeavor. Jenson Button, one of the drivers, praised the incredible effort and collaboration of the entire team, highlighting the immense pride he felt to work with such a talented group.

While the Le Mans success undoubtedly boosts team morale, Petty’s concerns serve as a reminder that the challenges in the Cup Series are distinct from the endurance race. The team must shift its focus back to the weekly grind and capitalize on the remaining opportunities to secure a win.

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